The term “Dialectic” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” Think of your dialectical journal as a series of conversations with the texts we read during this course. The process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the texts we read. Use your journal to incorporate your personal responses to the texts, your ideas about the themes we cover and our class discussions. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re reading, prepare yourself for group discussion, and gather textual evidence for your Literary Analysis assignments.
Here is an example of a Dialectical Journal entry:
Quotation from the Text (taken from The Outsiders)
Page #
Response
“Besides, I like walking. I about decided I didn’t like it so much, though, when I spotted that red Corvair trailing me. I was almost two blocks from home then, so I started walking a little faster. I had been jumped, but I had seen Johnny after four Socs got hold of him, and it wasn’t pretty.”
p. 4
This is a good example of foreshadowing. I’ll bet that the narrator is about to get jumped! Just the idea of walking faster conveys the idea of danger. Also, the idea that he is so close to home sets up the irony that most of the way he is safe, but at the last moment the danger arrives. Most movies and suspenseful stories work this way. It helps you to get an idea of what is about to happen.
But what are the important parts that I should quote in my journal?
Look for quotes that seem significant, powerful, thought provoking or puzzling. For example, you might record:
Effective &/or creative use of stylistic or literary devices;
Passages that remind you of your own life or something you’ve seen before;
Structural shifts or turns in the plot;
A passage that makes you realize something you hadn’t seen before;
Examples of patterns: recurring images, ideas, colors, symbols or motifs;
Passages with confusing language or unfamiliar vocabulary;
Events you find surprising or confusing;
Passages that illustrate a particular character or setting.
RESPONDING TO THE TEXT:
You can respond to the text in a variety of ways. The most important thing to remember is that your observations should be specific and detailed.
Basic Responses
Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text
Give your personal reactions to the passage
Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences
Write about what it makes you think or feel
Agree or disagree with a character or the author
Sample Sentence Starters:
I really don’t understand this because…
I really dislike/like this idea because…
I think the author is trying to say that…
This passage reminds me of a time in my life when…
If I were (name of character) at this point I would…
This part doesn’t make sense because…
This character reminds me of (name of person) because…
Higher Level Responses
Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, style, imagery)
Make connections between different characters or events in the text
Make connections to a different text (or film, song, etc…)
Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
Consider an event or description from the perspective of a different character
Analyze a passage and its relationship to the story as a whole
The term “Dialectic” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” Think of your dialectical journal as a series of conversations with the texts we read during this course. The process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the texts we read. Use your journal to incorporate your personal responses to the texts, your ideas about the themes we cover and our class discussions. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re reading, prepare yourself for group discussion, and gather textual evidence for your Literary Analysis assignments.
Here is an example of a Dialectical Journal entry:
(taken from The Outsiders)
But what are the important parts that I should quote in my journal?
Look for quotes that seem significant, powerful, thought provoking or puzzling. For example, you might record:
RESPONDING TO THE TEXT:
You can respond to the text in a variety of ways. The most important thing to remember is that your observations should be specific and detailed.
Basic Responses
Sample Sentence Starters:
I really dislike/like this idea because…
I think the author is trying to say that…
This passage reminds me of a time in my life when…
If I were (name of character) at this point I would…
This part doesn’t make sense because…
This character reminds me of (name of person) because…
Higher Level Responses